Car accidents a leading cause of injury across New York

Every day, thousands of people are injured in car accidents across America, with many of those happening in the bustling state of New York. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 840,000 injuries result from car crashes each year. Sadly, many of those injuries are serious or even fatal in nature.

The ways in which injuries occur during auto accidents is almost as varied as the reasons why the wrecks themselves happen. For example, a crash could be the result of a distracted driver, and injured parties could face broken bones, soft tissue damage or lacerations from broken glass. Understanding the myriad circumstances in which
motor vehicle accidents happen, and the types of injuries commonly resulting from them, can be helpful if you should be involved in an accident yourself.

Reasons accidents happen

Every time you get in a car, whether you are behind the wheel or just along for the ride, you run the risk of being involved in an accident. At any time of the day or night, there are countless vehicles traversing our roadways, and if some of those autos or trucks are operated by negligent drivers, accidents could happen.

Driving is a surprisingly complicated task. It involves careful attention to numerous different areas, including:

Keeping the car in your lane

Navigating to your destination

Obeying traffic control devices like signals and signs

Using turn signals and brakes to convey your intentions to other motorists

Observing and responding to changes in traffic or weather conditions

Watching the vehicle's speed

Controlling the music, temperature and visibility through the use of the audio system, heating/cooling system and windshield wipers and headlights

Should a driver lose focus on any one of these vital areas, say by being distracted because of a text message or phone conversation, or because he is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, accidents can - and will - happen.

Given the speed at which many vehicles travel these days - particularly on interstates and highways - it is no surprise that, in spite of advances in vehicle safety systems like airbags and passenger compartment construction (including "crumple zones" and reinforced framing), serious injuries are quite common. When two cars or trucks collide at highways speeds, the steel framework of the vehicle might not offer sufficient protection against all hazards.

For example, even someone wearing a seat belt could hit their head against the steering wheel or a window, or could strike the doorframe if there are no side-impact airbags. The impact of a passenger's head against any part of the vehicle could easily result in traumatic brain injuries like concussions or so-called "coup-contre-coup injuries" caused when the brain strikes the inside of the skull. In addition, it is common for motor vehicle accident victims to suffer:

Regardless of the type or extent of the injuries involved, if you have been injured in an auto accident due to the negligence, recklessness or distraction of a New York driver, you have legal rights. You may be able to seek compensation for your injuries that will help cover medical expenses, lost wages, rehabilitation and other associated costs. Speak with an experienced New York personal injury attorney like those at Subin Associates, LLP, to learn more.

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